Below is the reflective essay written by Aminatta Kamara, one of the scholarship recipients for the 2009 Texas Association of Museums Annual meeting.
Too often when the average person thinks of a museum professional, images of old men, as dusty as the objects they care for are conjured. However, as an emerging museum professional, I know that face is slowly changing. What began as an influx of women into an arguably male-dominated profession a couple of decades ago has evolved to include a number of other minorities. As a recipient of the Multicultural Initiatives Scholarship this year, I was asked to pen an essay discussing the topic of diversity in museum professions. I struggled with the topic as I feel that perhaps, just entering the museum world professionally, I do not have the right to critique. So instead, I have chosen to chronicle my feelings as they now stand.
As a minority, I would be remiss if I did not mention how disheartened I felt the first day I walked into graduate school orientation only to realize that I was one of two minorities enrolled in the Art History program. For the first time in my life, I wondered if my acceptance was based on my grades and accomplishments as I so hoped it was, or if it was steeped in the university’s needs to diversify their program. Early on, my cohort and I forged a relationship as comrades – it was “us” against “them.” I do not believe that either of us ever felt completely accepted - a fact we discussed ad nauseum along with the feelings of isolation and disassociation we felt as part of the system. Half-heartedly we joked about being “token” minorities and, viewing ourselves somewhat as mavericks bucking stereotypes and paving the way for other minorities, encouraged each other to change the face of art historians—all in the incredibly vintage year 2006.
The stereotypes persisted after college as I applied at and visited museums across the state. Thankfully, my first TAM meeting dispelled a number of myths that my graduate school friend and I formulated in the lesser used libraries of our hilly campus. In El Paso, I was excited to meet the new face of the museum professional. A face much more representative of a cross-section of cultures and decidedly more diverse than in the past; the new professional is increasingly a more cohesive blend of the multi-cultural society in which we all reside. Perhaps an awakening of sorts was required; one in which a younger generation realized that not only can one embrace their history, but that history may be studied and in time channeled into a profession. In my case, enlightenment occurred on the day I learned the different careers available at a museum – curator, director, conservator – they all sounded so exotic and interesting. I still remember the heady feeling I got when I came to the realization that I did not have to choose between my love for art and history and a professional career. I for one did not have to settle for a boring, everyday job, attempting to satiate my desire for culture and learning on clandestine lunch breaks from my cubicle or whirlwind weekend museum trips. I could work at a museum and do what I loved daily. Thankfully, no one told me otherwise.
I encourage those involved in museums to open your doors and bring in those who may never have otherwise stepped over the threshold. I challenge you to introduce yourself and your job at the next school field trip and answer the questions of that third grader—don’t just leave it to the docents. Perhaps among them will be born the next advocate for museums and preservation; ensuring that the doors of your institution will remain open for generations to come. And that is something we can all be proud of.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Reflections on Diversity by an Emerging Museum Professional
Friday, 19 June 2009
Juneteenth
It is especially important for Texas museums to acknowledge this historic day because it originated in Texas in 1865. It is now celebrated around the nation.
Here is a list of Juneteenth Celebrations around the country. If your museum has a Juneteenth event, it may be added to the list.
Happy Juneteenth everyone. Let's celebrate freedom and the great legacy that African American slaves and their descendants have given us.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Immigration Files to Become Part of National Archives
Hopefully, these files can help museums put a face on the many immigrants that have shaped our history!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-archives4-2009jun04,0,2566475.story
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Grant Opportunity for Educators!
Educators' Grant Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 5, 2009
Do you have a creative educational project that needs funding? The American Immigration Law Foundation's Curriculum Center is here to help! In an effort to support teachers in engaging their students and communities in thoughtful dialogues centered on the issue of immigration and multiculturalism, the Center awards bi-annual grants for immigration-themed projects. While this school year is coming to a close, it's never too early to plan ahead for next year.
The next deadline for AILF's educators' grant is June 5, 2009 - only two weeks away!
ABOUT OUR GRANT PROGRAM
This year, the Foundation is extending the grant program to fund more "service-learning" oriented projects and invites extension educators as wells a community leaders who want to make an impact in their community to apply. Take a look at past grant winners from 2005 to present to get an idea of the kinds of projects we fund.
The Foundation is always looking for innovative and creative classroom ideas. Applications for immigration-themed projects will be considered for all subject areas, although special consideration will be given for proposals that relate to the following categories:
Innovative use of technology
Underrepresented minorities
Community outreach and partnerships with community-based organizations
Math and science
Applications are limited to educators, extension educators and community leaders. Proposals that are classroom-based will receive strong consideration and the Foundation encourages projects that can be replicated in other classrooms across the nation. Funds for field trips will NOT be granted and grants are non-renewable.
1. A completed application form.
2. An essay detailing the objectives of the proposed project, a timeline for the activity, a list of resources to be used and/or created, and an explanation of how the proposed project might be used by others. Also, please include at least one paragraph of autobiographical information, and tell us about any previous immigration-related curriculum activities you have conducted. 3. Proposed budget with estimated expenses. 4. Recommendation letter from principal on school letterhead.Send completed application packet to teachers@ailf.org.
Recipients will be selected by AILF's Curriculum Advisory Board and announced and disbursed in July and December 2009. Grants will be paid to the teacher submitting the proposal and teachers will have one year to complete their projects. A summary lesson plan and sample materials must be submitted in hard copy and electronically to AILF by that time, and become the property of AILF for use on the Foundation website and in print materials.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Session Proposals Needed; Great Ideas Wanted!
Do you have an idea for a session for the TAM 2010 Annual Meeting? If it deals with diversity or multiculturalism, The MIC can help!
TAM has extended our deadline to Friday, May 22 to submit session proposals for the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Please contact me by Thursday, May 21 if you have a session idea or topic, or if you need help developing a session.
Friday, 24 April 2009
The TAM Multicultural Initiatives Action Plan
In 1995, the Texas Association of Museums published the Multicultural Initiatives Action Plan. The MIC is in the process of updating and revising the plan. However, the original document is still a valuable tool for museums who would like to do a self assessment or who would like some guidelines and/or measures for diversity in museums. While part of the plan is available from the TAM website, here is the printable version in its entirety. I hope some of you find it useful. Please send us your comments of what you would like to see updated, revised or added to this plan. You may click on the link to view it, or click on the small square on the top right corner of the screen to enlarge it. If you download it, the bluriness will be gone, although the the print is still quite light. Enjoy:
MIC Action Plan
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
The Sor Juana Festival
The National Museum of Mexican Art, in collaboration with many museums and organizations, is in the midst of its Sor Juana Festival . Please take a moment to click on the link and look through the many events that have taken place in various museums throughout Texas.
"The Sor Juana Festival, a tribute to Mexican women,has become the largest Latino performing arts festival in the country. Currently, the festival is divided into two seasons: Marchthrough May in Texas and April through June in Chicago/Milwaukee with plans of further expansion into other cities.
The Sor Juana Festival is a multidisciplinary festival that honors one of Mexico’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th-century Mexican nun who valued the education of women. Sor Juana was a celebrated playwright, mathematician and poet in her own time and considered to be the first feminist of the Americas. Through this unique festival, we celebrate the legacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and pay tribute to the rich artistic accomplishments of Mexican women from Mexico and the United States. The festival includes: culinary arts, dance, film, literature, music, theater and visual arts and takes place at different venues throughout the Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio."
